Rear view mirror almost lost the sale

[Memphremagog]

I went to test drive the Volt in Oregon (just arrived here!) and had a very strange experience that almost set me off against the vehicle. I adjusted the rear view mirror for the drive, the way one normally does, and found that the top half of the image was blocked by the ceiling bump where the OnStar, etc. lives. It made what is charitably a "modest" view out the back essentially very bad (unless all you want to see is the tires of approaching vehicles).

As I drove around, fully enjoying the car other than that I kept thinking, "They can not have let a design flaw that big slip through. I must be missing something." While the salesman looked on, concerned I might break his new pride and joy, I finally pulled the mirror down, rather than just adjusting its orientation and voila! Problem solved. In all my years of driving, I've never seen a rear view mirror that not only pivots on its base, but has a "swing down" capability on the arm that attaches to the windshield.

My advice to GM, have the car leave the factory with the arm swung down so others don't get into this trial and error mode.

Ordering my 2012 this week.....

[scottf200 update]Click here for the post in this thread that shows pictures of this.[/update]

[N Riley]

Thanks for the information. I certainly did not know that. I wonder if the 2011 was the same. And, good luck with your Volt when you get it. What color and options? Everyone will want to know. So you should always include that with your first post.

[Codyozz]

I went to test drive the Volt in Oregon (just arrived here!) and had a very strange experience that almost set me off against the vehicle. I adjusted the rear view mirror for the drive, the way one normally does, and found that the top half of the image was blocked by the ceiling bump where the OnStar, etc. lives. It made what is charitably a "modest" view out the back essentially very bad (unless all you want to see is the tires of approaching vehicles).

As I drove around, fully enjoying the car other than that I kept thinking, "They can not have let a design flaw that big slip through. I must be missing something." While the salesman looked on, concerned I might break his new pride and joy, I finally pulled the mirror down, rather than just adjusting its orientation and voila! Problem solved. In all my years of driving, I've never seen a rear view mirror that not only pivots on its base, but has a "swing down" capability on the arm that attaches to the windshield.

My advice to GM, have the car leave the factory with the arm swung down so others don't get into this trial and error mode.

Ordering my 2012 this week.....

As I was reading your mini-rant I was thinking to myself... I bet the secondary pivot joint is in the highest position... and I was about to put on caps lock and reply to your thoughts... and then it hit you.... Yep my old Chevy has this feature and I'm glad it does. It's nice that it has so much movement, it has come in handy over the decades I've had this ol truck.
I am more than a bit upset that the salesmen didn't know this common GM feature. And yet he still gets the commission for your car... sad!

[Memphremagog]

Thanks for the information. I certainly did not know that. I wonder if the 2011 was the same. And, good luck with your Volt when you get it. What color and options? Everyone will want to know. So you should always include that with your first post.

Silver metallic with black interior and dark accents.

[taminatorv]

I've had the Volt for 6 months and never new about the mirror. I never got it adjusted exactly where I wanted, but it was close enough that it didn't bother me much. I'll play with it before I drive home :-)

[Luvthevolt]

Wow I didn't know that either! Was driving me crazy since I picked up my Volt. THANK YOU!!

[eplantz]

I am more than a bit upset that the salesmen didn't know this common GM feature. And yet he still gets the commission for your car... sad!

you'll get over it. My salesman did not know where the spare tire was.

[jeffhre]

"They can not have let a design flaw that big slip through. I must be missing something." While the salesman looked on, concerned I might break his new pride and joy, I finally pulled the mirror down, rather than just adjusting its orientation and voila! Problem solved. In all my years of driving, I've never seen a rear view mirror that not only pivots on its base, but has a "swing down" capability on the arm that attaches to the windshield.

That's awesome! Finally someone who can spell Voilà! Oh, the mirror thing is pretty cool too

[Hardcore73]

Wow I never knew that I could pull my mirror down, that thing has bugged me since day one. LOL. I will give it a shot tomorrow.

Thank you!

[sck_nogas]

I too, did not know this, and yesterday pulled down on my mirror, and I now love the mirror location, and even the auto-dimming worked! Sad, that I went 8 months without knowing this...